He Sacrificed His Knee to Win this Dunk Contest: Ben Hopkins | Dunk Talk #61

In this episode of the Dunk Talk Podcast, host Dylan Haugen and co-host Hunter Castona sit down with fellow Midwest dunker Nolan Larson for one of the most raw, in-depth conversations yet. The three dive into Nolan’s athletic roots, from mini-hoop battles in his childhood to his evolution as a high-flying Wisconsin dunker who captured attention with viral sessions and a show-stopping performance at Wisconsin Dunk Camp.Nolan shares the full arc of his journey — his early drive to jump higher, the moment he landed his first dunk, the grind that took him to elite-level sessions, and the injuries that tested his limits both physically and mentally. His story offers a rare look at the highs of peak performance and the harsh reality of dealing with long-term back injuries that ultimately changed his life.What follows is a conversation about creativity, identity, and resilience. Nolan opens up about rediscovering purpose through golf and music, the irreplaceable support of the dunking community, and the joy of helping others chase their first dunk. It’s one of the most powerful and heartfelt episodes of Dunk Talk yet — a reminder that even when your path changes, the passion to create never fades.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dunk-talk-w-dylan-haugen/id1748327178Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4737NyBcPveHp3CAftdj5i?si=g7RCdo7RQ72kYjf0daGOggToday's Speakers:Dylan Haugen (Host) -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanhaugen23/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DylanHaugen23Website: https://dylan-haugen.com/Hunter Castona (Co-Host) - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter.dunks/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hunterdunksNolan Larson (Guest) - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolanrlarson/

In Episode 64 of Dunk Talk, Dylan Haugen and Hunter Castona sit down with brothers Jordan and Ethan Pimstone to tell a story that feels almost unreal but is completely real: Ethan went from casual LA Fitness runs to a 47.5-inch vertical and his first Eastbay—all within months. Jordan, who doubles as his brother and coach, walks through the process: rehabbing jumper’s knee, cutting unnecessary weight-room fatigue, and managing a nervous system so wired that one heavy set could ruin a whole session. Ethan shares what that journey looked like from the inside—tapering and carb-loading before Dunk Camp 2025, testing a 12′1″ touch with a 0.23-second ground contact, and realizing mid-jump that he might have something truly special.They go deep on the real mechanics of progress: short, high-quality dunk sessions instead of marathon jump days, controlled lifting that leaves room for recovery, and steady skill work on low rims to build hand speed. You’ll hear how Ethan built his dunk package from scratch—first clean windmills, then Eastbays, now chasing 360 variations and underboths—and why Jordan believes 50 inches is within reach if the system stays this disciplined.If you want the full backstory on how Jordan built this training philosophy, go watch our earlier episode with Jordan Pimstone—it sets up everything you hear here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-sjLW2KLLsListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dunk-talk-w-dylan-haugen/id1748327178Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4737NyBcPveHp3CAftdj5i?si=g7RCdo7RQ72kYjf0daGOggToday's Speakers:Dylan Haugen (Host) -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanhaugen23/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dylanhaugen23Website: https://dylan-haugen.com/Hunter Castona (Co-Host) - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter.dunks/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hunterdunksEthan Pimstone (Guest) - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanpimstone1/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ethan_PimstoneJordan Pimstone (Guest) - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jp.dunks/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jp.dunkss

Welcome back to the Dunk Talk Podcast! In Episode 63, host Dylan Haugen sits down with rising dunker Bishop Ukata (@takeoffcinco), one of the most underrated young athletes in the dunking scene.In this episode, Bishop shares his full dunk journey—from discovering dunking through legends like Connor Barth, Jordan Southerland, and Guy Dupuy, to grinding on low rims in his grandma’s backyard, battling knee pain, and eventually leveling up through JumpMaster X training.We dive into:- Bishop’s late start in basketball and transition into competitive high school and college hoops- His first dunk at age 13 and the breakthrough moment of hitting windmills, Eastbays, and 360s- How he became versatile across all plants (left-right, right-left, and one-foot takeoff)- His progress hitting advanced dunks like under both legs, behind-the-back, scorpion, and black band attempts- The role weight training played in taking his vertical from 40" to 44"+- Short-term goals (black band, 540s, reverse Eastbay) and long-term dreams like dunk contests, dunk camp, and holy grail dunks like hide-and-seek and under-both elbowBishop is just getting started, and this conversation shows why he’s a name to watch in the dunk community.

In this episode, professional dunker Jordan Kilganon returns to the Dunk Talk to share the full story behind the release of his very own signature shoe—the first custom model designed specifically for a professional dunker. Jordan breaks down everything from early childhood shoe obsessions to the industrial design background that shaped his vision, and how years of testing different models led him to partner with Serious Player Only.We dive into:- Why traction and containment were non-negotiables in the shoe’s design- How Jordan’s blue hair accidentally became elite personal branding- The importance of lightweight performance and durability for dunkers- Cosmetic touches like the holographic heel, Scorpion Dunk logo, and hidden symbolism- How a tattoo and a goal to touch 12 feet found their way onto the shoe- What this release could mean for the future of dunk culture and athlete-brand collaborationsWhether you’re a dunker, hooper, or sneakerhead, this episode gives an inside look at what it takes to create a performance shoe that actually holds up under elite-level jumping—and what it feels like to see a childhood dream materialize on your feet.Grab the shoe or learn more at seriousplayeronly.com or jordankilganon.com

In this episode of The Dunk Talk, Dylan sits down with Ben Hopkins to break down his hard-earned win at the Dunk Camp 2025. Ben explains how he pushed through patellar tendon pain, risking his knee health for a shot at winning and a guaranteed spot in the upcoming FIBA 3x3 contest. He shares how adrenaline masked the damage on day one, how he adapted his dunk plan mid-contest, and why stepping back wasn’t an option. Dylan and Ben also walk through the unique contest format, the challenges of using FIBA balls, and the mental pressure of being labeled the favorite. After a near-collapse in the finals, Ben pulled off a clutch off-vert dunk to seal the win.

In today's episode I walk through the entire week—from pre-camp training and travel to Utah, to the key dunk sessions, contest performance, and the final dunk show. I talk about how my preparation with Jump Master X and sessions with other dunkers impacted my confidence going in, and how the structure of day one affected my jumping.I break down the dunks I landed, including windmills, Eastbays, behind-the-back variations, a Scorpion, multiple 360 cuff windmills, and many more. I also share why I chose not to test my vertical this year, my thoughts on the WDA contest format, and what I could have done better during the contest.I close the episode with a look at the dunk show, the performances by the pros, and how injuries affected several of them. You can watch the full dunk show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSep0k5BySkThis episode also previews upcoming interviews, including a conversation with Ben Hopkins—winner of the 10-foot contest and now headed to FIBA. If you want a full breakdown of Dunk Camp 2025 from an athlete’s perspective, this is it. Subscribe for more.Watch the Full Day 1 Dunk Session: https://youtu.be/EqpAhlUwJZ0?si=mOsiBTIkK_GHUJ41Watch the Full Dunk Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSep0k5BySk

This is one of the most important episodes we’ve done on The Dunk Talk Podcast.I sat down with Dennis Yu—search engine engineer from the early days of Yahoo and one of the most respected marketers in the game—to talk about how dunkers and creators can build a real personal brand that actually shows up on Google and leads to real-world opportunities.Dennis has worked with huge brands like Nike, Starbucks, American Airlines, and the Golden State Warriors. He was there when Yahoo was pioneering the early internet, where he served as a search engine engineer analyzing what millions of people were searching for daily. Now, he spends his time helping local service businesses and individuals looking to grow their personal brands—whether they’re athletes, creators, or entrepreneurs. Through BlitzMetrics, he teaches others how to market effectively, run targeted ads, build personal brand websites, and turn their existing content into long-term digital assets that drive visibility and opportunity.In this episode, we break down:- Why even top-tier dunkers are invisible on Google (and how to change that)- How to build a personal brand website that helps you rank- The long-term value of blog posts, podcasts, and YouTube videos- Why short-form content is just the trailer—and long-form is the actual movie- How linking to your peers, mentors, and events boosts everyone’s visibility- What Google looks for when deciding who shows up—and how to use that to your advantage- How AI can turn one podcast or dunk event into a dozen pieces of content that all build your digital presenceWhether you’re trying to get sponsors, build your reputation, land a job, or just be seen for the work you’re already doing, this episode will show you what to do next.The dunk game deserves to be documented, respected, and visible—and it starts with us.Tools/Content mentioned in this video:Knowledge Graph Explorer (Tool): https://blitzmetrics.com/knowledge-graph-explorer/How To Get a Google Knowledge Panel (Article): https://blitzmetrics.com/how-to-get-a-google-knowledge-panel-even-if-youre-not-famous/Claiming Jordan Kilganon and the JMX Team's Knowledge Panels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ1S3xiokoc

In this episode of the Dunk Talk podcast, Dylan Haugen chats with Adam, an exchange student from Taiwan, about his journey into the world of dunking. Adam shares how he went from barely touching the rim to performing 360s, 2 handers, and even windmills—all within just nine months. They discuss his experiences with the JumpMaster X coaching service, the difference in basketball culture between Taiwan and the U.S., and the key factors that led to his vertical jump improvements. Adam also reflects on his time in America, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he's learned that will shape his future. Tune in for an inspiring story of persistence, growth, and cultural exchange!

In this solo episode, I (Dylan Haugen) break down my experience getting flown out to Maryland for a dunk contest at the TBL All-Star Weekend. From warm-ups to missed dunks, what went right, what went wrong, and how it felt competing in front of a crowd like that. I also talk prep, mindset, mistakes I won’t make again, and why this event meant a lot. If you’re into the behind-the-scenes of dunk culture, this one’s for you.

In Episode 56 of Dunk Talk, I’m joined by my coach Tom Barnes (@tom.dunks), who is not only a dunker, but also one of the founders and coaches over at Jump Master X. We cover his journey from multi-sport athlete in Australia to elite dunker and coach, his role in shaping Jump Master X’s training, and how he balances heavy lifting with his dunk progress. We also dive into coaching insights, community growth, dunk culture across countries, and what it takes to build a long-term path in the sport—both as an athlete and mentor.